RALPH. O Lord, why did not I consider before, What should of roisting be the final end. Now the horse is stolen, I shut the stable-door. Alas, that I had time my life to amend! Time I have, I must needs confess; But yet in misery that time must be spent: Seeing that my life I would not redress; But wholly in riot I have it all spent; Wherefore I am now brought to this exigent. But the time pass'd cannot be called, this is no nay. Wherefore all here take example by me: Time tarrieth no man, but passeth still away; Take time, while time is, for time doth flee; Use well your youthly years, and to virtuous lore agree. For if I to virtue had any respect, This misfortune to me could not have chanced; But because unto vice I was a subject, To no good fame may I be now advanced. My credit also is now quite stanched. Wherefore I would all men my woful case might see, That I to them a mirror might be. TOM. O all ye parents, to you I do say: Have respect to your children and for their education, Lest you answer therefore at the latter day, And your meed shall be eternal damnation. If my parents had brought me up in virtue and learning, I should not have had this shameful end; But all licentiously was my up-bringing, Wherefore learn by me your faults to amend. But neither in virtue, learning, or yet honest trade, Was I bred up my living for to get: Therefore in misery my time away must vade; For vicious persons behold now the net. I am in the snare, I am caught with the gin; And now it is too late, I cannot again begin. NEW. This gear would have been seen to before, But now, my masters, you are on the score. Be packing, I say, and get you hence; Learn to say: I pray, good master, give me nine-pence. RALPH. Thou, villain, art only the causer of this woe; Therefore thou shalt have somewhat of me, or ere I go. TOM. Thou hast given me a bottle here; But thou shalt drink first of it, be it ale or beer. [RALPH ROISTER _beateth him with his staff, and_ TOM TOSSPOT _with his bottle_. RALPH. Take this of me, before I go hence. TOM. Take that of me in part of recompense. NEW. Now am I driven to play the master of fence. Come no near[358] me, you knaves, for your life, [_They have him down, and beat him, and he crieth for help._ Lest I stick you both with this woodknife. Back, I say! back, thou sturdy beggar! Body of me, they have ta'en away my dagger. RALPH. Now, in faith, you whoreson, take heed, I you advise, How you do any more young men entice. TOM. Now, farewell, thou hast thy just meed. Ralph. Now we go abegging, God send us good speed!